Paines Plough announces full 2012 programme

New writing company Paines Plough has announced its full programme for the remainder of 2012, which will feature plays by David Harrower and Simon Stephens and a national tour of Paul Heaton and Che Walker' s musical The 8th, opening at the Barbican.

Macmillan’s Lungs, Payne’s One Day When We Were Young and Skinner’s The Sound Of Heavy Rain are co-produced with Sheffield Theatres having premiered in Sheffield in 2011.

The Roundabout season is part of a series of work Paines Plough is staging across London this year that has premiered outside the capital.

The 8th, which premiered at the Manchester International Festival last year, is another example, kicking off a national tour at the Barbican Centre on 5 July 2012 before visiting The Salford Lowry, Leeds Harewood House, Sheffield Lyceum, Birmingham St Paul's Church and the Latitude Festival.

Directed by George Perrin, it's billed as a "soul opera in seven parts", exploring "the seven deadly sins in a single poverty-stricken neighbourhood." It features music and lyrics by The Beautiful South's Paul Heaton and a book by playwright Che Walker.

Other Paines Plough productions currently in London include Mike Bartlett's Love, Love, Love, which premiered with a national tour last year and is now at the Royal Court, and Kate Tempest's Wasted, which is currently at the Roundhouse as part of a 25 venue national tour.

One production that won't be joining them in town, despite its title, is Simon Stephens' London, which opens its tour at Salisbury Playhouse in October before visiting Newcastle's Live Theatre, the Tron in Glasgow and the Manchester Royal Exchange.

Also announced today is David Harrower’s Good With People, which George Perrin will direct as part of this year’s Edinburgh Festival; a new series of Come to Where I’m From, featuring playwrights from Brighton, Cheltenham, Chipping Norton and the Isle Of Wight; and Sean Buckley’s Smithereens at Rose Bruford and Soho Theatre.

Programme 2012 opened with Matt Hartley’s Sixty Five Miles in a co-production with Hull Truck in January.

James Grieve and George Perrin said today, “We’re hugely proud to announce our third annual programme of work as Paines Plough’s artistic directors. Our passion for new plays continues to grow thanks to the extraordinary playwrights that lie at the heart of our company. This year we’re presenting work by a huge range of writers, from Olivier Award winners to the stars of the future.

“We believe everyone should have the chance to see outstanding new plays, no matter where they live, so our commitment to national touring deepens this year with visits to over 40 different UK villages, towns and cities. After two years working outside the capital, we’ve been overwhelmed by the demand for our work to be seen in London. In response we’ve put together a London Season of productions, all of which have already been seen on tour."

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